I love decorating our Christmas tree, even though it takes at least two days.
“Two days?” you ask. “Why so long?”
There are several very logical reasons – if you are me.
One: It takes time to arrange the branches. We have an artificial tree, you see. (Cut evergreens don’t last long in Florida because of the heat, and Steve and I like to decorate right after Thanksgiving.) That means, before decorating can begin, the tree has to be assembled and the branches spread out.
Two: It takes time to string the lights. Although pre-lit trees are convenient, they often include too few lights. The rule of thumb is 100 lights per foot. We put 1,000 lights on our eight-footer. Some are tucked in, some arranged on the tips of branches. This creates a tree that truly glows.
Three: It takes time to hang the decorations — the ultimate 3-D jigsaw puzzle of Santas, angels, and miniature manger scenes, animals, toys, and traditional ball ornaments. Dozens and dozens of them. (And nearly all given to us by family, friends, members of the churches we’ve served, and students from my classes.)
Long ago I worked for a creative designer. One aspect of her business included decorating Christmas trees for banks and businesses. She taught me several tricks for creating a stunning display. I’ve already shared the first rule: Use lots of lights.
Two: Consider the size, theme, and material of each ornament. Try not to hang several Santas, or a group of red decorations, all together.
Three: Just as lights are tucked in or perched on branch-tips, it’s important to do the same with ornaments.
Four: Use the tree lights as spotlights for the ornaments, as often as possible.
A beautiful, glowing Christmas tree is in the carefully executed details.
(Photo taken before the last step: settling the treetop angel in place.)
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Something else that’s found in the details? Wonder.
Yes, that statement could be applied to decorations. There is a sense of wonder when studying a breath-taking display.
But more significant? The glorious wonder to be found in the carefully executed details of the Christmas story, the events surrounding the birth of Jesus.
Beyond the familiar events of angel visitations, a trip to Bethlehem, Baby Jesus laid in a manger, and a shepherds’ hurried trek to see the newborn Messiah, there is much to appreciate in the details.
For example:
One: Little did Caesar Augustus know he was being used by God to fulfill an ancient Messianic prophecy, when he decreed the census that sent Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,…out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times” (Micah 5:2). God is sovereign — even over those who do not know him.
Two: Observe whom God chose to notify first about this pivotal event in history–the birth of his Son. Shepherds! Members of the lowest class in Jewish society! Perhaps God wanted us to know that wealth, position, and even the respect of others is of little consequence in his eyes. What does matter? Faith. “Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6).
The shepherds did believe – in the old Messianic prophecies and in the angel’s message: “Today! Right now! In the little town of David, your Savior, the Messiah, has been born” (Luke 2:10-11)! Those sheep herders scurried off to Bethlehem as fast as they could go. And their faith was highly rewarded. They were first to see the long-awaited King of kings, the Messiah. Their lowly position in society didn’t matter.
Three: Most wondrous of all? The Son of God, who was with God and was God from the very beginning, became human (John 1:1-2). The One who created all things (Colossians 1:15-16), chose to become a helpless baby, and embrace every aspect of the human experience through thirty-some years of earth-dwelling.
I like the way Eugene Peterson says it: “God became one of us and moved into the neighborhood” (John 1:14, The Message)!
And how do we respond to such wondrous details? We follow the example of those shepherds. We praise and glorify our God for all the things we have heard and seen, which prove what we’ve been told (Luke 2:20).
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I DO praise you, Heavenly Father, that early in life I heard about your Son and your gift of eternal life. I invited you into my life, and have experienced your love, joy, and peace, just as you promised. In fact, I have seen many of your promises fulfilled in my life and in the lives of others. You have proven to me over and over that what we’ve been told in scripture is indeed 100% truth. With Mary, I exult: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (Luke 1:46-47a)!
From the Inside Out 
Wow, 2 days … nope …. just one here … and that is going out, cutting it down, putting it up, stringing lights (only just a couple of strands) and yes, putting on the ornaments, too. Our God is amazing, isn’t He! So many different people, so many ways to reflect His glory! Bedazzling to the mind 🙂 Sending you warm wishes!
I’m impressed by your efficiency! And truth be told I do miss the fragrance of a freshly-cut tree. Though my family never cut our own tree, during my growing up years in the Midwest, we always had a live tree. (Memories this time of year are part of the beauty of the season, too!)
You see, I live in a house with four men (three teenage boys and my husband to be exact) … While they have graciously made allowances for the fancy things, I have had to adjust to the let’s-kill-it-and-drag-it-home mentality 🙂
With all the buildup about your beautiful tree, we need to see a picture of it!! The picture you did send of a tree did not come through. Before we left Michigan, I insisted on a fresh cut tree. I was so worried about it catching fire in the night that I could not sleep. I was relieved when the tree and its needles were gone!!
Thank you for letting me know the picture was not displaying. When I “viewed” the post, the picture WAS showing! Strange! After an hour-plus of trouble-shooting with my son, I think we have it figured out. I tested it on Steve’s computer, logging in as him. The tree was there, FINALLY. If you have a chance, view the post again, Grace. Let me know if we have solved the problem or not!
Nancy you must post a photo of your tree. lots of lights sounds beautiful! I love the process of holding the memories each ornaments contains. We buy ornaments from our travels, then the ones from my childhood and special ones from my kids. all special and priceless
Oh, yes–the memories each ornament contains is what makes each one so precious. I praise God he gave us long-term memories!
I have tried uploading the picture a different way. I think it is now visible, if you want to revisit and see our tree!
Thanks Nancy for the instructions trimming a tree, just like we need instructions from Jesus on how to celebrate His birth and how to live our life according to His Word. Sorry that the picture of your tree did not come through, I would have loved to see you. Merry Christmas to you and Pastor Steve.
If you have time, Laura, access the post again. I uploaded the picture a second time, a different way. It should be there now!
Thank you for the Christmas greetings and especially for being a supportive friend!
Nancy,
Decorating our tree is a big deal too. My children are grown, but each year we schedule a day and time that each of us can get together to listen to Christmas music and decorate our tree together. Every year I purchase an ornament for each of us, and we enjoy going down memory lane while placing our collections on the tree. Like you, I love the beautiful details of the Christmas story. How exciting to have held the Savior of the world in your arms as Mary and Joseph did and to be a part of such an important event!
Tresa
I love your tradition of buying a new ornament for each family member each year. And, oh, yes! The sweet memories each ornament represents–priceless.
The carol, “Mary, Did You Know” highlights the wonder that Mary must have experienced the night of Jesus’ birth. Remember this line? “When you kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.” Incredible!
Excellent, Nancy!
I love reading all those “detail” passages together and I really like your analogy. My wife spends a lot of time decorating too. We also have an artificial tree and putting it together is a real challenge because the branch layers vary only slightly in length and the size markings have worn off:-)
Thank you, Bill. Your tree sounds a lot like ours–a bit of a challenge! But the finished product is worth the time and effort. I love the soft glow it creates in the kitchen/great room!
I haven’t put a tree up since 1997. I do decorate the front and back porch, outside lights in the front. I put those tiny rice lights on floral arrangements, use lots of twig lights as well, and drag out the Christmas Jim Shore figurines, and lots of candles. If you miss the smell of live trees…go get some of that Balsam room spray; that’s what I do! LOL! Actually, I decorate in every way but the tree. Mom puts hers up, though, so I get to appreciate hers on a daily bases. (She has the kind of tree that comes with lights; one year the whole middle of the tree wouldn’t light up. We found out later that she had plugged a strand into itself! LOL!) I was thinking today how tiring Christmas can be. I believe I needed to stop and reflect upon the true meaning of Christmas as you mentioned above. The way God engineered the whole thing to work out where Christ would be born. It is also lovely to know that God is no respecter of people’s status. We are all the same in His eyes, sinners needing Salvation. How wonderful. He did all the hard work for us. How blessed we are to celebrate His birth with the knowledge of seeing Him face-to-face someday.
Oh, yes. Contemplating his first coming naturally brings to mind the awaited second coming. Do you suppose we’ll celebrate Jesus’ birth in heaven?!